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Best Scalping Forex Brokers of 2024

Steven Hatzakis

Written by Steven Hatzakis
Edited by John Bringans
Fact-checked by Joey Shadeck

October 04, 2024

Scalping refers to a forex trading strategy in which the trader opens and then closes positions within a few minutes (or even seconds). For scalping strategies to be successful, close attention to the markets is critical, and timing is of the essence. Scalpers may stay glued to their charts all day, binge-watching the price action and waiting for the right moments to enter and exit the market.

This guide is designed to answer some of your questions about scalping and to share our picks for the best brokers for scalping strategies.

Best Forex Brokers for Scalping

Here are the best forex brokers for scalping

IG
star 9.9/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit£250.00
Tier-1 Licenses8
Tradeable Symbols (Total)19537

Year after year, IG has shown itself to be the best broker in the forex industry and a fantastic choice for forex traders. Highly trusted and regulated across the globe, IG delivers a wide variety of rich features, market research, and powerful trading tools. IG also offers seamless integration of trading signals into its web platform. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
Interactive Brokers
star 9.9/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$0
Tier-1 Licenses9
Tradeable Symbols (Total)8500

Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted broker regulated across the globe that delivers access to over 100 markets, including forex and CFDs. Its Trader Workstation (TWS) platform offers a variety of advanced trading tools for experienced traders, and IBKR's web-based platform is great for beginner forex traders. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
Saxo
star 9.7/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$0
Tier-1 Licenses7
Tradeable Symbols (Total)70000

Saxo is a highly trusted broker that operates multiple banks and is regulated across the globe. Saxo delivers an incredible cross-platform experience alongside powerful research and a vast selection of more than 60,000 symbols across multiple asset classes. It’s worth noting that minimum deposits at Saxo are steep. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
CMC Markets
star 9.6/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$0
Tier-1 Licenses5
Tradeable Symbols (Total)11925

CMC Markets is a highly trusted multi-asset broker regulated in multiple Tier-1 jurisdictions. CMC's powerful Next Generation trading platform for web and mobile delivers a huge selection of markets and a fantastic user experience. CMC Markets also ranks highly for its high-quality research and educational content. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
FOREX.com
star 9.4/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$100
Tier-1 Licenses7
Tradeable Symbols (Total)5500

FOREX.com is a highly trusted brand with a long history of offering forex in the U.S. and across the globe. FOREX.com offers its own flagship trading platforms for web and desktop, as well as the full MetaTrader suite. Though its pricing is higher than average, FOREX.com is a balanced choice for traders of all experience levels. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)Yes
Charles Schwab
star 9.3/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$0
Tier-1 Licenses5
Tradeable Symbols (Total)40000

Charles Schwab is a leader in platform technology and trusted by millions of investors globally with trillions in assets under its brands. Available exclusively to U.S. residents, Charles Schwab's forex offering consists of just over 70 currency pairs, along with powerful research and trading tools. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
City Index
star 9.3/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit£100.00
Tier-1 Licenses7
Tradeable Symbols (Total)13500

City Index, part of StoneX Group, is an award-winning, highly trusted broker with a long history of offering forex and CFDs across its global offices. City Index delivers a well-designed mobile trading app and a powerful web platform, as well as a large range of tradeable markets (though pricing is just average). Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
XTB
star 9.1/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$0 info
Tier-1 Licenses2
Tradeable Symbols (Total)6200

XTB is a highly trusted brand with a proprietary platform (xStation 5) that delivers a rich selection of trading tools. XTB also offers CFDs for a wide range of asset classes, including multiple cryptocurrencies. Beginners will appreciate XTB's excellent educational content and the hundreds of lessons that are available via its Trading Academy. Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)Yes
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
eToro
star 8.9/10 Overall
Minimum Deposit$50-$10,000
Tier-1 Licenses3
Tradeable Symbols (Total)5461

Best known for its copy trading platform suite, eToro is a highly trusted broker offering a large selection of cryptocurrency products, CFDs, shares, forex pairs, and a wide range of powerful trading tools. It’s worth noting that eToro is not a discount broker (though it offers zero-dollar commissions for U.S. stocks). Read full review

Apple iOS AppYes
Android AppNo
Proprietary PlatformYes
Desktop Platform (Windows)No
Web PlatformYes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)No
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What is scalping?

Scalping refers to a method of forex trading in which a trader opens and then closes their positions rapidly - usually within a few minutes (or even seconds). Scalpers aren't looking for huge one-time payouts; instead, the goal is to stack up small profits over time by getting in and getting out of trades quickly, multiple times throughout the day.

Scalping doesn't always imply arbitrage (read more about arbitrage in our guide to high-frequency trading), or that a trader is trying to take advantage of pricing latency between two brokers. Instead, it's best to think of scalping as existing somewhere between day-trading and high-frequency trading.

An important aspect of scalping philosophy is the idea that the fast-moving nature of most scalping strategies may allow traders to avoid the market uncertainties which can hit trades that are left open for longer periods of time. Of course, this doesn't mean that scalping is foolproof, or less risky. Scalpers still incur losses (just like any trading strategy).

Evolution of forex scalping: In the late 90s and early 2000s, the price differences for assets that existed across different brokers were more pronounced. To take advantage of these pricing discrepancies, traders would manually arbitrage the off-market price by simultaneously buying and selling the mismatched rates to make a profit.

This method is known as latency arbitrage, and it's achieved by quickly opening and then liquidating positions within a small window of time (usually less than one minute).

However, arbitrage opportunities have become practically non-existent in modern times, unless you are running an automated strategy (such as an HFT-driven strategy) to capture latency arbitrage (and even that practice may be prohibited - more on that below).

Today, scalping has evolved beyond arbitrage. For example, traders may engage in a strategy called "price action trading," in which a trade is established when prices deviate from the median (or middle) of a price range, with the expectation that it will return to a baseline. Like latency-based strategies, price action trading can take place even on time scales small enough to be measured on one-minute charts - or even with tick data (one tick = one price update).

Not permissible everywhere: Some brokers may prohibit strategies that aim to exploit tiny pricing changes, depending on the sophistication of the strategy. It also would depend on the difficulty a broker may have in managing risk - or the risk taken by other market-makers for routing your order while executing those trades.

How to choose a forex broker for scalping

If you've decided to pursue a scalping strategy, your first step will be to pick a forex broker. Crucially, you'll want to select a broker that is well-regulated and highly trusted. A good forex broker will also provide a wealth of resources to aid in your scalping success - market research, forex education, and advanced analytical tools such as charts and watchlists - in addition to a comprehensive offering of tradeable products.

Our team tests dozens of the biggest names in foreign exchange, and - using a proprietary formula that takes into account a range of factors, including trust - we rank the best brokers for forex trading. Learn more about our Trust Score at our Sister site ForexBrokers.com.)

It's important to remember that not all brokers allow scalping on their platforms (we'll dive into this subject further down). If you are looking to begin scalping, we found the following forex brokers to be the best options:

How to get started with a scalping strategy

There are two crucial factors at play when starting out on your journey as a scalping strategist. First, you'll have to figure out if your broker's trading costs are low enough for the strategy to be profitable. Second, you have to determine whether your broker's trading policy permits scalping (regardless of the execution type).

Your broker's trading costs will depend on the execution principle applied to your trading account. For agency-execution accounts, the broker will charge a commission for entering and exiting trades (in addition to spreads), whereas accounts with market-maker execution usually just charge for the spread. We'll explore this in more detail a bit further down.

Determining whether your broker actually permits scalping strategies is a bit more complicated.

We've broken down the four most important questions to ask about your broker, to see if it will allow you to move forward with a scalping strategy:

1. What is the broker's policy concerning scalping?

Usually, brokers will indicate in their terms and conditions if they allow scalping on their platforms. Brokers should disclose how they define both scalping and arbitrage. They should also state their policies regarding latency-driven trading, as well as strategies that involve trading on off-market prices (i.e., exploiting the lag that exists between your computer and the broker's server).

An evergreen piece of advice: Always read the fine print (especially, in this case, as it pertains to execution policy).

If you are still in doubt, don't be afraid to contact your broker directly; a reputable broker should be able to provide a definitive statement as to whether they permit scalping (and how they define it).

Remember: Scalping can mean different things to different people. To some, scalping refers to arbitrage, whereas for others it can represent hyper-fast intra-day trading.

2. Where is the broker located?

A broker in a top-tier jurisdiction likely operates under a strict obligation to provide you with good-quality execution. Off-shore brokers, on the other hand, operate in a lax regulatory environment in which there are no consequences for poor execution or substandard practices. In other words, brokers in top-tier jurisdictions are more likely to follow best practices for order execution, such as adhering to the Global FX Code.

There are jurisdictions where the regulators of the forex industry (or in some cases, the brokers themselves) may have rules that specifically prohibit the practice of scalping. For example, EBS, a major inter-dealer broker used by major banks and brokers in the forex market, prohibits any type of scalping that is driven by latency arbitrage.

There are other Anti-Latency Arbitrage (ALA) mechanisms in place at certain venues, where all orders pass through what's known as a "Speed Bump" (or, latency floor) to slow them down. It's worth noting that these rules usually apply to ultra-high-frequency traders that use proprietary microwave networks or low-earth-orbit satellites to gain a speed advantage.

All of this is to say that you need to know if the broker you intend to use is subject to such rules and if they are well-regulated and highly trusted. If you'd like to learn more about the major regulators and whether to trust your forex broker, feel free to head on over to our sister site, ForexBrokers.com.

3. What account types does the forex broker offer?

Agency execution: Typically, scalping is only permitted on accounts that operate on the principle of agency execution, such as with Electronic Communications Network (ECN) platforms. This is because the broker charges a commission for entering and exiting trades (in addition to spreads) while the order is matched or sent to a third-party market maker for execution.

This means that in an agency execution account, the broker is earning the commission, while the spread is earned by the market-maker executing your trade. Therefore, brokers that offer agency execution may permit scalping just because it doesn't cost them anything if you are making repeated small profits (or losses).

With agency execution, however, the trading conditions (such as the execution quality) may simply not be favorable for a scalping strategy. Some ECNs don't disclose available liquidity, or there may simply not be enough available liquidity to make scalping feasible.

Market maker: On the other hand, market makers are counter-parties to your trades, so they have a responsibility to manage risk. As a result, some market makers simply don't allow scalping on their platforms.

It is possible that some market makers will permit scalping, even though they may stand to lose money if you are making consistent profits from a scalping strategy. It all depends on how they manage their client order flow, and the related risk.

Pro tip: Choosing a broker that handles large trading volumes in agency-execution account types can be an added benefit for scalping strategies (when scalping is permitted).

4. Does the broker have fast price feeds?

When using a scalping strategy, the speed at which you can enter and exit trades is crucial to your success. Your broker must be able to provide lightning-fast price feeds so that you can be confident you are getting up-to-date pricing information for your trades.

Speed matters and delayed price feeds are a scalper's nightmare. Some brokers filter the prices they get from their liquidity providers (LPs), or they may limit their price updates so that traders have enough time to act on a price before it changes. Depending on the degree of such price filtering - and on your scalping strategy - the resulting rate may update too fast, or not fast enough.

FAQs

How does scalping work in forex?

There are many types of intra-day trading strategies that can be considered scalping, but whether any of them are latency-driven or pure arbitrage is a different story.

There can be a fine line between trading on latency, and conducting, for example, statistical arbitrage through the use of highly correlated assets.

At any rate, scalpers in the forex market enter and exit large positions very quickly, and trades can last from a few seconds to a minute or more, while attempting to make a few pips.

Is scalping forex profitable?

Yes, but it is harder to scalp the forex markets today than it was 20 years ago. Over time, forex markets have become more efficient and feature tighter spreads, as well as prices that update more quickly across the world.

Whether scalping is profitable for you will depend on your chosen trading strategy (such as how trading entries and exits are identified). It's important to note that scalping is a somewhat loose term that describes a broad set of potential strategies, with the common factor being speed (fast intra-day trading).

Is scalping a good strategy in forex?

When analyzing financial markets on smaller time scales such as those represented on one-minute candlestick charts or tick charts - they can seem full of noise and seemingly random price action.

It can be difficult to draw actionable meaning from such granular data. Usually, traders only identify useful trends after combining that granular data with analysis of larger time scales (such as hourly or daily charts).

To be successful at identifying the fleeting trading opportunities afforded by scalping strategies, timing is crucial. And for those traders who have put in the work and done the research necessary for developing a forex trading strategy for scalping, the next step will be determining whether the strategy is scalable or sustainable.

Which is the best forex broker for scalping?

The best broker for scalping in 2024 is IC Markets. Whether you are manually trading or running an algorithm, IC Markets' liberal execution policy allows you to trade between the spread and to enter or exit as often as you like across multiple account types and platform options.

IC Markets claims a rapid execution speed of 40 milliseconds from the time it receives your order. That said, IC Markets' terms and conditions declare that it reserves the right to refuse to accept an order that is attempting to scalp, in the context of pure arbitrage. This kind of policy is quite common across brokers.

Tickmill is a close contender for the best broker for scalping, thanks to the low-commission rates on its PRO and VIP accounts. Tickmill also features agency execution and it claims to permit scalping - though (as detailed in its terms and conditions) it reserves the right to cancel any trade if the price has been delayed due to a latency issue.

BrokerNotes.co 2024 Overall Rankings

To recap, here are our top forex brokers for 2024, sorted by Overall ranking.

Company Overall Rating Minimum Deposit Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard Trust Score Tradeable Symbols (Total) Read Review
IG logoIG
9.9 £250.00 0.98 info 99 19537 IG Review
Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
9.9 $0 0.63 info 99 8500 Interactive Brokers Review
Saxo logoSaxo
9.7 $0 1.1 info 99 70000 Saxo Review
CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
9.6 $0 0.61 info 99 11925 CMC Markets Review
FOREX.com logoFOREX.com
9.4 $100 1.4 info 99 5500 FOREX.com Review
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
9.3 $0 1.25 info 99 40000 Charles Schwab Review
City Index logoCity Index
9.3 £100.00 1.4 info 99 13500 City Index Review
XTB logoXTB
9.1 $0 info 1.00 info 96 6200 XTB Group Review
eToro logoeToro
8.9 $50-$10,000 1 info 93 5461 eToro Review
Capital.com logoCapital.com
8.7 $20 info 0.67 info 87 3007 Capital.com Review
Swissquote logoSwissquote
8.7 $1000 N/A info 99 472 Swissquote Review
AvaTrade logoAvaTrade
8.7 $100 0.93 info 94 1260 AvaTrade Review
OANDA logoOANDA
8.6 $0 1.61 info 93 3928 info OANDA Review
Plus500 logoPlus500
8.6 €100 1.5 info 99 5500 info Plus500 Review
FXCM logoFXCM
8.6 Starts from $50 0.78 info 95 440 FXCM Review
Pepperstone logoPepperstone
8.5 $0 1.10 info 95 1726 Pepperstone Review
XM Group logoXM Group
8.5 $5 1.6 info 88 1394 XM Group Review
Admirals logoAdmirals
8.5 $100 0.8 info 93 8702 Admiral Markets Review
FP Markets logoFP Markets
8.3 $100 AUD 1.1 info 87 10000 FP Markets Review
Tickmill logoTickmill
8.2 $100 0.51 info 86 725 Tickmill Review
IC Markets logoIC Markets
8.2 $200 0.62 info 84 3583 IC Markets Review
FxPro logoFxPro
8.1 $100 1.51 info 90 2249 FxPro Review
Markets.com logoMarkets.com
8.1 $100 1.9 info 93 2179 Markets.com Review
FinecoBank logoFinecoBank
8.0 $0 N/A info 94 9770 Fineco Bank Review
BlackBull Markets logoBlackBull Markets
8.0 $0 0.76 info 78 26000 BlackBull Markets Review
Vantage logoVantage
8.0 $50 1.30 info 90 1000 Vantage Review
ThinkMarkets logoThinkMarkets
7.9 $50 info 1.1 info 92 4000 ThinkMarkets Review
HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) logoHYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
7.8 $20 1.2 info 86 1199 HYCM Review
HFM logoHFM
7.8 $0 1.2 info 86 500 HFM Review
DooPrime logoDooPrime
7.8 $100 N/A info 83 10000 DooPrime Review
Questrade logoQuestrade
7.8 $250 N/A 86 641
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
7.7 0 0.98 info 81 1267
Trading 212 logoTrading 212
7.7 €10 1.9 info 79 8025 Trading 212 Review
BDSwiss logoBDSwiss
7.7 $10-$5000 info 1.6 info 76 1081 BDSwiss Review
Trade Nation logoTrade Nation
7.7 $0 0.6 85 1000 Trade Nation Review
TMGM logoTMGM
7.6 $100 N/A info 83 12000 TMGM Review
Eightcap logoEightcap
7.6 $100 1.0 info 85 736 Eightcap Review
Moneta Markets logoMoneta Markets
7.5 $50 1.38 info 72 1016 Moneta Markets Review
Spreadex logoSpreadex
7.5 $0 0.81 info 71 10000 Spreadex Review
MultiBank logoMultiBank
7.5 $50 N/A 84 1042 MultiBank Review
Exness logoExness
7.4 $10 info N/A 81 227 Exness Review
ACY Securities logoACY Securities
7.4 $50 1.2 info 75 2200 ACY Securities Review
easyMarkets logoeasyMarkets
7.3 $50 0.8 info 80 230 easyMarkets Review
RoboForex logoRoboForex
7.3 $100 1.3 info 73 8400 Roboforex (RoboMarkets) Review
VT Markets logoVT Markets
7.3 $100 1.2 info 70 1000 VT Markets Review
Octa logoOcta
7.2 $25 0.9 info 70 277 OctaFX Review
IronFX logoIronFX
7.2 $50 1.2 83 340 IronFX Review
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
7.2 $1 1.44 info 67 630 IFC Markets Review
Trade360 logoTrade360
7.2 $250 N/A info 76 1062 Trade360 Review
Axi logoAxi
7.1 $0 N/A info 82 175 Axitrader Review
TeleTrade logoTeleTrade
7.1 $100 N/A 71 500 Teletrade Review
iFOREX logoiFOREX
7.0 $100 N/A 75 750 iFOREX Review
FXOpen logoFXOpen
7 $100 N/A info 76 87 FXOpen Review
FXPrimus logoFXPrimus
7.0 $100 N/A info 71 140 FXPrimus Review
Xtrade logoXtrade
6.9 $250 N/A info 74 482 Xtrade Review
Forex4you logoForex4you
6.8 $0 N/A info 61 150 Forex4you Review
GBE brokers logoGBE brokers
6.8 $500 N/A info 71 500 GBE Brokers Review
Alpari logoAlpari
6.8 $20 N/A info 68 105 Alpari Review
TopFX logoTopFX
6.7 Depends on payment method 1.03 info 67 655 TopFX Review
Libertex (Forex Club) logoLibertex (Forex Club)
6.7 $10 N/A info 73 300 Libertex Review
LegacyFX logoLegacyFX
6.7 $500 N/A 67 425 LegacyFX Review
FXGT.com logoFXGT.com
6.6 $5 N/A 69 117 FXGT Review
ATFX logoATFX
6.5 $500 N/A info 85 150 ATFX Review

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Methodology

At BrokerNotes.co, our data-driven online broker reviews are based on our extensive testing of brokers, platforms, products, technologies, and third-party trading tools. Our product testing extends to the quality and availability of educational content, market research resources, and the accessibility and capabilities of mobile platforms and trading apps. We also dive into each broker’s trading costs, such as VIP rebates, inactivity fees, custody fees, bid/ask spreads, and other fee-based data points.

Steven Hatzakis, an industry veteran with decades of experience in the forex market, leads the BrokerNotes research team. All BrokerNotes content is researched, fact-checked, and edited by the research team.

All websites and web-based platforms are tested using the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. Our Desktop PCs run Windows 11, and we use MacBook Pro laptops running the latest version of macOS to test trading on the go. We test mobile apps and products using iPhones running iOS 17 and Samsung devices running Android OS 14.

Note: The online brokers on our site provide the ability to trade forex in one or more ways, such as non-deliverable spot forex (i.e., rolling spot contracts), contracts for difference (CFD), or other derivatives such as futures. The availability of specific markets or features will depend on your country of residence and the broker's applicable brand or entity that services your account(s).

AI disclaimer

We use proprietary AI technology to assist in some aspects of our content production. However, our scores, ratings, and rankings of online brokers are based on our in-depth product testing and thousands of hand-collected data points. Learn more about our AI Policy and How We Test.

Forex Risk Disclaimer

There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection and market volatility that may substantially affect the price, or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses. Learn more about foreign exchange risk.

About the Editorial Team

Steven Hatzakis

Steven Hatzakis is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. Steven previously served as an Editor for Finance Magnates, where he authored over 1,000 published articles about the online finance industry. A forex industry expert and an active fintech and crypto researcher, Steven advises blockchain companies at the board level and holds a Series III license in the U.S. as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).

John Bringans

John Bringans is the Managing Editor of BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. An experienced media professional, John has close to a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, and conducts research on forex and the financial services industry while assisting in the production of content.

Joey Shadeck

Joey Shadeck is the Content Strategist and Research Analyst for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. He holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from Oakland University, and has been an active trader and investor for close to ten years. An industry veteran, Joey obtains and verifies data, conducts research, and analyzes and validates our content.

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